General cycling issues (Is Toronto bike friendly?)

[Obsidian]

...I am compelled to say though looking at this with the glass half full, that while it's highly problematic that Doug is removing bike lanes for his own personal gain with short sighted motorists to put it mildly...least it's only 3 lanes he plans to do this with. Furthermore, the rest lanes that are unaffected by the said short sighted'ness will mostly be left unscathed. And do not need provincial permission to be completed via the respective legislation here, to my understanding. Also see: Grandfathered.

Or tl,dr: It could of been much, much worse. And for what that's worth.

The province has always said they will be reviewing more bike lanes for possible removal as well, Bloor Yonge and university are just those for immediate removal with more to come later. I have no doubt more lanes will be removed as well.

 

[UtakataNoAnnex]

The province has always said they will be reviewing more bike lanes for possible removal as well, Bloor Yonge and university are just those for immediate removal with more to come later. I have no doubt more lanes will be removed as well.

...I have to admit that one was news to me. But if that's the case then, Doug has gone completely *rump about this. /bleh

 

[Mihairokov]

...I have to admit that one was news to me. But if that's the case then, Doug has gone completely *rump about this. /bleh

Bike lanes are just being used as a distraction from other things the PCs are doing, like devastating Ontario Place and forgoing environmental assessments for whatever highway projects they're considering these days, along with continuing stories like the greenbelt scandal.

 

[Admiral Beez]

Province-led survey suggests higher cycling rates than Ford government numbers: city staff report

The question of how many people use bicycles to get around the city has become a topic of heated debate as the Ontario PCs move to dismantle bike lanes on some of Toronto’s major streets.

www.thestar.com

paywall bypass: https://archive.is/5ahSQ

Excellent news. I just wish the Toronto Star had chosen a better time to take that cover photo. Show the busy commuters on bicycles rather than the single food delivery guy on an electric motorcycle.

 

[evandyk]

Bike lanes are just being used as a distraction from other things the PCs are doing, like devastating Ontario Place and forgoing environmental assessments for whatever highway projects they're considering these days, along with continuing stories like the greenbelt scandal.

They're also a wedge issue for the PCs in suburban ridings. They know they aren't going to lose any seats by pissing off the people biking to work safely on these bike lanes, but they could push a few seats over the margin from Liberal to PC in Etobicoke, Scarborough, Mississauga, etc.

 

[UtakataNoAnnex]

...votes come first, safety second!

 

[evandyk]

Just had to give a dressing-down to some dick on an e-bixi for blowing fhrough a streetcar stop as the doors were opening (he had to stop because he basically hit someone). Don’t do this! Things are hard enough for cyclists right now without alienating 30 people waiting for a streetcar.

 

[81-717]

^if he didn't feel like stopping and waiting for people to get on/off the tram, he could've at least got off his bike and walked with it.

 

[nfitz]

^if he didn't feel like stopping and waiting for people to get on/off the tram, he could've at least got off his bike and walked with it.

Or just gone very slowly, like one often sees without hitting anyone. Though as a pedestrian, I'm frequently tempted to walk right in front of a cyclist while boarding, who is being very aggressive, even if going at walking speed, because they assume that no one will walk in front of them.

 

[81-717]

Or just gone very slowly, like one often sees without hitting anyone. Though as a pedestrian, I'm frequently tempted to walk right in front of a cyclist while boarding, who is being very aggressive, even if going at walking speed, because they assume that no one will walk in front of them.

going slowly is also an option, yes (whether to pass open tram doors, taking a detour via the sidewalk, or going through a red at a 3-way), but sometimes depending on the situation it might be better to opt for walking your bike to avoid catching the ire of an annoyed driver/pedestrian.

 

[evandyk]

He was trying to go as fast as he could, ringing his bell, even though he knew it was impossible to get past the whole streetcar before the doors opened. He basically expected people to back off even though the doors were open, and almost hit someone who stepped forward. It was extremely obnoxious, which is why I told him so.

 

[nfitz]

He was trying to go as fast as he could, ringing his bell, even though he knew it was impossible to get past the whole streetcar before the doors opened. He basically expected people to back off even though the doors were open, and almost hit someone who stepped forward. It was extremely obnoxious, which is why I told him so.

I find the best approach is often to step out onto the road, just before the streetcar. Just one step, so a vehicle won't actually hit you. But vehicles seem to be less likely to do a run for it with pedestrians moving onto the roadway.

 

[UtakataNoAnnex]

"...I brake for no one!" /sigh

 

[evandyk]

I find the best approach is often to step out onto the road, just before the streetcar. Just one step, so a vehicle won't actually hit you. But vehicles seem to be less likely to do a run for it with pedestrians moving onto the roadway.

I do that too. This guy was basically ringing his bell and daring people to try it. On an e-bike. Asshole.

 

[nfitz]

I do that too. This guy was basically ringing his bell and daring people to try it. On an e-bike. Asshole.

I'm a fucking idiot ... so I would have certainly gotten quite close to him.